Stoker



March 27, 1928. 1,663,636

N. M. LOWER ET A1.

STOKER Filed Aug. 9. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheei l.

[n Wen ons? March 27, 1928. 1,663,636

N. M. LowER ET Ax.

STOKER Filed Aug. 9. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mmh 27, 192s. 1,663,636

N. M. LOWER ET AL STOKER Filed Aug. 9. 1925 `i5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PatentedMar. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN M. LOWER AND PAUL A. KETCHPEL, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AS-SIGNORS T0 LOCOMOTIVE STOKER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

STOKEB.

Application iiled August 9, 1928. Serial No. 856,481.

This invention relates to stokers and more particularly to the type inwhich fuel is elevated into a chamber or receptacle communicating withthe interior of the tire-box 'through the back head thereof, and fromwhich it is projected into the fire-box.

The objects of the invention are to simplify and increase the efficiencyof devices of this character, and one embodiment of the invention isshown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a verticalsection of a portion of a locomotive and the device applied thereto,with parts removed and parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking inthe direction of the arrow, with parts broken aWay;`

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with parts brokenawa Fig. 4 is a detail sectiona view of the valve mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the distributor valve and casing therefor,with the rear plate removed;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the distributor valve with the nozzleplate removed; and

7 is a front elevation of the nozzle and nozzle plate.

On the drawings the reference character 9 designates the back head of alocomotive which may be in form of a water leg, as shown. The backhead`9 is provided with a firing door opening 10 and the grates 11 areindicated in ,dotted lines in Fig. 1, all of which are of the usual orwell known construction.

Since the details ofthe locomotive constitute no part of the presentinvention, it is not thought necessary to show and describe the same.And since the invention relates to improvements in stokers of knownconstruction, various details are omitted.

The stoking' mechanism is mounted on and suitably secured to thelocomotive and comprises a conveyor 12, elevator casing 18 having itsupper portion formed into a` fuel receptacle or blast chamber 14,elevator mechanism 13 in the casing, a fuel projecting device 15, and adistributor member 16 which extends through the door opening 1() intothe fire box.

The conveyor 12 comprises a suitable casing in which is rotatablymounted a conveyor screw 12, and projecting forwardly from below thefioor 17 of the locomotive tender, as indicated in Fig. 2, and itsforward portion extends forwardly and upwardly as shown in Fig. 1 forconveying the fuel from the tender tothe elevator casing 18. Theconveyor is connected to the elevator casing by the ball and socketjoint 19 in the usual manner.

The conveyor screw 12a is operated in any suitable manner as by means ofthe small engine 21 carried by the locomotive. The engine 21 is providedwith a power shaft 22 which is adapted to rotate the counter shaft 23through a suitable worm and gear arrangement 24. The shaft 23 isprovided with a gear 25 which meshes with a gear 26 on the screwconveyor shaft 27 for rotating the same. The shaft 23 may be providedwith a suitable number of universal joints 28 (see Figs. 2 and 3) tocompensate for the relative movements of the locomotive and tender andto provide for any an ular adjustment relative to the shaft 27 o thescrew conveyor 12.

Suitable means are provided for delivering the fuel to the blast chamberor fuel box 14. Preferably the fuel is delivered through the floor ofthe chamber 14 in suitable increments of the desired size. As shown, aplunger 29 is adapted to reciprocate Within the elevator casing 18. Theplunger 29 has its upper surface so arranged or inclined that it willform a substantially horizontal continuation of the floor of the blastchamber or fuel box 14 when at its upper limit of movement. The plunger29 is provided with a depending skirt or projection 30 which is adaptedto prevent the entrance of fuel from the conveyor 12 when the same is inelevated position. The enclosed space between the casing of the conveyor12 and the elevator casing 18 provides sufficient room to receive thefuel delivered by the conveyor during the elevation of the plunger.

'The plunger 29 is operated in any suitable manner. As shown, it isyoperated by the shaft 22 which is provided with a worm which in turnengages the worm gear 31 secured on the shaft 32 jolrnaled in suitablebearings in the front wall of the elevator casing 18. A crank 33 isrigidly secured to the shaft 32 and is ccnnccted by the link 34 to theplunger 29 for raising and lowerin the same. h

Suita )le means are provided for pro]ecting the fuel from the lastchamber or fuel box into the fire-box. Preferably mechanism foremploying steam or other fluid blasts is used for this purpose. Suitablemechanism is also provided for controlling and directing the blastswhereby the fuel may be delivered to any desired portion of there-box.The direction of the blast is determined by a selection of the nozzlepas-- sa es through which the steam' or other fluid under pressure ispermitted to escape.

AS shown, the fuel projecting device comprises a nozzle plate 35 whichis provided with a forwardly extending nozzle or nozzle block 36,adapted to extend through an opening in the rear end of the blastcharnber or fuel box 14, an intermediate late 37 and the rear plate 38.The forwardj end of the nozzle block 36 is curved as shown in Fig. 2.The block is provided with conduits 39 which terminate in vertical bores39 from which one or more horizontal series of nozzle passages 39 extendconvergently forwardly. The outer nozzle passage at each side of theblast chamber or fuel box 14 may, if desired, extend directly forwardlyin order to project into the fire-box the fuel that may collect at therear portion of each side of said blast chamber or fuel-box.

As shown, the conduits 39 are made by formin 1r rrrooves in the upperface of the body of the block 36 and covering the same and the upperends of the bores 39al by the plate 36a, as shown in Fi 2. Theintermediate plate 37 is provided with a series of openings 40 arrangedin a circle adjacent the outer edge thereof.

Grooves 41 are provided on the front, face of the plate 37 and are incommunication with the openings 40. The inner ends of the grooves 41 areadapted to register with the conduits 39. The rear member 38 is providedwith a circular recess 42. Angular passages 43 are provided in the wallof the recess 42. The outer ends of these openings l are incommunication with the openings 40 in the intermediate plate 37.

An oscillating or distributor valve member 44 is journaled in the hub 45of the rear v member 38. This member is in the form of an L and isprovided with an axial bore which is adapted to be brought intocommunication with the openings 43 of the rear member 38.

Steam `or other fluid under ressure is supplied to the oscillating valvet rough the pipe 46. It will thus be seen that as the ore of the valve44 is brou ht to register with the opening 43 steam will be deliveredthrough the corresponding conduit 39 in the nozzle block 36.

Suitable means are provided for oscillating the valve 44. Means are alsoprovided for selectively delivering the steam to the different conduits39 in the nozzle block. This lnechanism will now be described.

The rearward or projecting end of the valve 44 is provided with a spurgear 47 which is adapted to engage a rack 48. The rack 48 isreciprocated b suitable mechanism from the power sha t 22. Inthe-embodiment disclosed this mechanism comprises a worm on the shaft 22which engages the gear 49 on the shaft 49hl to turn the gear 50 which inturn meshes with a gear 5l mounted on a shaft 52. Shafts 49HL and 52 areheld in fixed relation to each other by means of a link 53. The shaft 54is operated from the shaft 52 by means of the chain 55 which engagessuitable sprockets on said shafts. The shafts 54 and 52 are held infixed relation to each other bymeans of the link 56. Sii-.ift 54 isprovided with a gear 57 which meshes with the gear 58 which is providedwith a crank pin 59 on which is pivoted one `end of the link 60. Theforward end of the link 60 is pivoted to the upper end of a link 61which is pivoted at its lower end as at 63.

The rear end of the rack bar 48 is pivotally connected to the upper endof the lever 64, the lower end of wh1ch is pivoted as at 65. A link 66is pivoted at its rearward end to the block 62, slidably mounted in anarcuate slot 67 in the link 61. The forward end of the link 66 ispivoted to the lever 64 at an intermediate point thereof. It will thusbe seen 'that by this arrangement the rack bar 48 is reciprocated tooscillate the valve 44 as the gear 58 rotates.

The extent to which the valve 44 will rotate will depend upon theposition of the block 62 in the slot 67. The maximum oscillation will beobtained when the block is in its upper position. The block iS adaptedto be manually raised and lowered by the lever 68 which has its angularend connected to the Ablock 62 by means of a link 69. A suitable rack orquadrant 70 is provided for securing the lever 68 in adju sted position.

Suitable means are provided for directing the fuel to any point withinthe fire-box. This is accomplished by the proper selection of theconduits or nozzles 39 through which the steam is lpermitted to escape.'This may be accomplis ed by movin the rack bar and its oscillatingmechanism either forwardly or backwardly, depending on which conduits ornozzles it is desired to employ. As shown, the link 61 and the gears 57and 58 are mounted on a frame or carriage 71 which is slidably mountedin guideways 72 on a fixed frame or support 72, The frame or carriage 71is adapted to be slid forwardly or rearwardly by means of the lever 73.The lever 73 may be held in adjusted position by a suitable quadrant 74,in the usual manner.

In the operation of the device, when it is desired to distribute thecoal over the whole surface of the fire-box the lever 73 is operated toslide the frame or carriage 71 to its central position on the support72, and the lever 68 is operated to bring the block 62 to its upperlimit of movement. The parts will then take the position shown in Fig. 3of the drawings and the rack bar 48 will cause the gear 47 and therotating valve 44 to oscillate through 360 degrees thus permitting steamto escape through all the nozzle passages 39, when the valve 75 isopened during the final upward movement of the plunger 29.

llicn it is desired to deliver steam through a minimum number ofpassages, say threeof the double nozzle passages 39, the lever 68 isoperated to bring the block to its lower limit of movement whereby therack 48 will operate at its minimum reciprocation. Since the nozzlepassages are arranged to converge forwardly, if it is desired to trimthe fire at the left side of the tire-box the nozzle' passages at theright are exposed. This is accomplished by operating the lever 73 tomove the carriage to the left. Likewise, the carriage 71 may be moved sothat the minimum number of nozzle passages may be einplo ed to trim thefire at either side of the fireox or at any intermediate point.

Suitable means are provided for supply ing steam to the valve 44 intlined relation to the operation of the plunger 29. As shown, the steamsupply pipe 46 is provided `with a valve 7 5 which is held in closedposition by a spring 76 The valve 75 is operated in any suitable manner.In the embodiment shown the shaft 32 is provided with a cam 77, which isadapted to engage an antifriction member or roller carried by the lowerend of the member 78 which is secured to the lower end of the stem ofthe valve 75. The cam is so arranged that when the plunger 29 nears itsupper limit of movement the valve will be opened to permit the passageof steam and will be closed when the plunger begins its downwardmovement.

The supply pipe 46 may, if desired, be provided with a valve 79 forvarying the amount of steam delivered to the fuel projecting device 15and consequently varying the intensity of the blasts delivered bv thenozzle 36. By operating the valve 79 to limit the supply of steam to thenozzle 36 fuel may be de livered to the extreme rear end of the tire-boxor to a position in advance of the rear end thereof.

The distributor member 16 may be provided with ribs 80 for assisting inthedistribution of the fuel. The ribs adjacent the sides of the platemay be curved outwardly lior directing the fuel to the sides of the fireWe claim as our invention:

1. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, -a delivery casing adaptedfor the discharge of fuel into a fire-box, means for introducing fuelinto the casing through its lower wall, and means for discharging ablast against the fuel for discharging the same from the casme.

2. In a locomotive Stoker, in combination, a delivery casing adapted forthe discharge of fuel into a fire-box, means for introducing fuel intothe casing through its lower wall, a steam nipple discharging across thefuel receiving aperture for discharging fuel from thc casing, and meansfor distributing the fuel within the fire-box.

3. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a delivery casing adapted forthe discharge of fuel into a fire-box, a reciprocating plunger elevatorfor delivering fuel to the casing through its bottom wall, and asteamnipple positioned to discharge a blast across the face of theplungerwhen at the end of its upstroke.

4. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a delivery easing adaptedforl the discharge of fuel into a fire-box, a reciprocating plung erelevator for delivering fuel to the casing through its bottoni wall, asteam nipple positioned to discharge a blast across the face of theplunger when at the end of its u J-stroke, and means for regulating theblast from the nipple. Y

5. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel delivery receptacle associatedtherewith, means for automatically supplying fuel to said receptaclethrough the floor thereof and means for discharging a blast against saidfuel in timed relation tothe operation of said first named means forprojecting said fuel into said fire-box.

6. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a fire-box, a fuel deliverymember associated therewith, a reciprocating plunger for supplying fuelto said member through an opening in the bottom thereof, and means forautomatically discharging a blast of fluid across the face of saidplunger in timed `relation to the movement thereof for projecting saidfuel into said fire-box.

7. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a fire-box, a fuel deliverycasing associated therewith, a reciprocating lunger for delivering fuelto said casing t rough the bottom thereof and means for automaticallydirecting a blast along said easing when said plunger is in elevatedosition for projecting said fuel into said relbox.

8. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel delivery receptacle associatedtherewith, means for supplying increments of fuel to said receptaclethrough the bottom wall thereof, and means for automatically directingan individual blast against each increment of fuel for discharging thesame into said firebox.

9. In combination, a irebox, a fuel delivery receptacle, means forintermittently supplying fuel to said receptacle through the fioorthereof, means for intermittently directing a blast against said fuelfor projecting the same into said tire-box and means for disturbingrsaid fuel within said fire-box.

10. In combination with the rear wall of a fire-box of a locomotiveprovided with an opening therethrough, a fuel receptacle, means forsupplying fuel to said receptacle, a plurality of jets arranged on acurvevfor directing a blast against said fuel, me'ans including anautomatically oscillating valve for delivering blasts of steam to saidjets within its zone of movement, and means for changing the zone ofmovement of said valve.

1l. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle open at its forwardend, meansl for delivering fuel to said receptacle through the bottomwall thereof, a plurality of jets` arranged at an angle to each otherfor directing a fluid under pressure against fuel in said receptacle todeliver the same to said fire-box, means for automaticallyintermittently supplying said iuid to said jets and means forcontrolling the fiuid discharge from each jet.

12. In a device of the class described, a fuel receptacle having top,bottom and side walls, said receptacle being provided with an openforward end and an opening in its bottom wall through which fuel isdelivered to said receptacle, a fuel directing plate provided witlicurved ribs, secured to and extending forwardly from said bottom wall,

and means for discharging a blast across said o ening.

13. n combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle associated therewith,means for supplying fuel to said receptacle through the bottom wallthereof, means for directing a blast against the fuel delivered to saidreceptacle for delivering the same to said tirebox, means for varyingthe intensity of said blast and means for varying the directional effectof said blast.

14. In combination, a fuel conveyor, a fuel elevator, a fire-box, andmeans for ejecting fuel from said elevator into said firebox, said meansincluding a nozzle provided with a plurality of passages arranged at anangle to each other for delivering a blast against said fuel when saidelevator is at its upper limit of movement, a distributor member, meansfor automatically operating said member, and means for changing the zoneof action thereof for varying the direction of said blast withoutchanging the position of said nozzle.

15. In combination, a fire-box, a distributor plate adjacent thereto,means for supplying fuel to said plate through an opening therein, andmeans for distributing said fuel in said fire-box, said means comprisinga nozzle provided with a plurality of nozzle passages, a fluid pressureconduit, and means including an automatically operated distributor valvefor placing said conduit in communication with one or any selectednumber of adjacent passages to the exclusion of the remaining passages,whereby fuel may be selectively delivered to any portion of said firebox exclusively.

NATHAN M. LOlVER. PAUL A. KETCHPEL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l, 663,636.

Granted March 27, 1928, to

NATHAN M. LOWER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specif abovenumbered patent requiring co 9, for the word "disturbing" read rrectionas follows: Page 4, "distributing"; and that the said Letters ication ofthe line l0, claim Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice. j

Signed and sealed this 17th day of April, A. D. i928.

Seal) M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

individual blast against each increment of fuel for discharging the sameinto said firebox.

9. In combination, a irebox, a fuel delivery receptacle, means forintermittently supplying fuel to said receptacle through the fioorthereof, means for intermittently directing a blast against said fuelfor projecting the same into said tire-box and means for disturbingrsaid fuel within said fire-box.

10. In combination with the rear wall of a fire-box of a locomotiveprovided with an opening therethrough, a fuel receptacle, means forsupplying fuel to said receptacle, a plurality of jets arranged on acurvevfor directing a blast against said fuel, me'ans including anautomatically oscillating valve for delivering blasts of steam to saidjets within its zone of movement, and means for changing the zone ofmovement of said valve.

1l. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle open at its forwardend, meansl for delivering fuel to said receptacle through the bottomwall thereof, a plurality of jets` arranged at an angle to each otherfor directing a fluid under pressure against fuel in said receptacle todeliver the same to said fire-box, means for automaticallyintermittently supplying said iuid to said jets and means forcontrolling the fiuid discharge from each jet.

12. In a device of the class described, a fuel receptacle having top,bottom and side walls, said receptacle being provided with an openforward end and an opening in its bottom wall through which fuel isdelivered to said receptacle, a fuel directing plate provided witlicurved ribs, secured to and extending forwardly from said bottom wall,

and means for discharging a blast across said o ening.

13. n combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle associated therewith,means for supplying fuel to said receptacle through the bottom wallthereof, means for directing a blast against the fuel delivered to saidreceptacle for delivering the same to said tirebox, means for varyingthe intensity of said blast and means for varying the directional effectof said blast.

14. In combination, a fuel conveyor, a fuel elevator, a fire-box, andmeans for ejecting fuel from said elevator into said firebox, said meansincluding a nozzle provided with a plurality of passages arranged at anangle to each other for delivering a blast against said fuel when saidelevator is at its upper limit of movement, a distributor member, meansfor automatically operating said member, and means for changing the zoneof action thereof for varying the direction of said blast withoutchanging the position of said nozzle.

15. In combination, a fire-box, a distributor plate adjacent thereto,means for supplying fuel to said plate through an opening therein, andmeans for distributing said fuel in said fire-box, said means comprisinga nozzle provided with a plurality of nozzle passages, a fluid pressureconduit, and means including an automatically operated distributor valvefor placing said conduit in communication with one or any selectednumber of adjacent passages to the exclusion of the remaining passages,whereby fuel may be selectively delivered to any portion of said firebox exclusively.

NATHAN M. LOlVER. PAUL A. KETCHPEL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l, 663,636.

Granted March 27, 1928, to

NATHAN M. LOWER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specif abovenumbered patent requiring co 9, for the word "disturbing" read rrectionas follows: Page 4, "distributing"; and that the said Letters ication ofthe line l0, claim Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice. j

Signed and sealed this 17th day of April, A. D. i928.

Seal) M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

